The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has issued an apology to the newly appointed Chairman of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) after wrongly linking him to the infamous immunoglobulin scandal involving former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.
In its earlier statement on September 26, the GMOA criticized the new appointments to the SLMC, alleging that several individuals had been charged with corruption and had controversial backgrounds. The association also claimed that the new Chairman had been appointed to the Council under Rambukwella’s influence.
However, in a follow-up clarification, the GMOA admitted that this allegation was incorrect. The association expressed regret for the error, noting that the current Chairman was not involved in the scandal and was not appointed by Rambukwella.
The GMOA added that it deeply regrets any harm caused by the earlier statement.
Senior medical academic Professor Jayantha Jayawardena has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), officially assuming duties recently.
A senior specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, Professor Jayawardena has served for many years at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, and at the Faculty of Medicine, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. He also held the post of Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Professor Jayawardena has prior experience as a member of the SLMC, serving as a university representative from 2005 to 2014. In 2020, then-Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi appointed him to the Council again, followed by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella in 2023. However, Rambukwella later removed him without explanation, a decision that drew criticism from medical professionals. When Dr. Ramesh Pathirana became Health Minister, Professor Jayawardena was reappointed to the Council.
Currently the most senior professor on the SLMC, he has contributed extensively to important committees, including the Foreign Medical School Recognition Unit, the Medical Ethics Committee, and the Professional Misconduct Committee.
